Wii Mini UK release date finalized, nothing for US yet

There were a few shocks when Nintendo only announced their surprise Wii Mini package for Canada only, in 2012. The cute miniature red version of the successful console had expected to be available in other regions as well like the US or UK, but Nintendo stuck to their guns and gave Canada an exclusive – until now anyway.

In an unexpected move, Nintendo has now announced via official press release, that the Wii Mini love will also be extended to consumers in the UK. Nintendo has given an official release date of March 22nd for the console, but has yet to confirm how much the stripped down box will cost.

Stripped down is obviously the key factor in the system, as don’t forget the Wii Mini will not come with any internet connectivity features at all. You also won’t be able to play any GameCube discs like the original Wii. That means you cannot connect to the Nintendo online store, or play any online modes of games that come with such features.

As a result, the Wii Mini is only going to appeal to a handful of gamers. If you live in the UK though, March 22 will be the day when you can finally take one home if you are uninterested in the glitz and glamour of next-gen consoles from rival manufacturers. Another big talking point, is that Nintendo has failed to mention whether the Wii Mini will be released in the US.

It seems strange to release the Wii Mini in Canada, and then UK, but completely ignore US and even their home Japanese market at the same time. Have they conceded the fact that not many consumers will be interested in buying one in the US with the barebones features in tact?

Considering that you can pick up an original Wii for next to nothing these days, Nintendo are really going to have to be careful with their pricing, otherwise nobody is going to buy it at all. Let us know what you think about the upcoming UK release, the US silence and whether you are still interested in a Wii Mini console.